SAE AMS6438G-2016 PDF

Full title and description

SAE AMS6438G: Steel, Sheet, Strip, and Plate — 1.05Cr - 0.55Ni - 1.0Mo - 0.12V (0.45 - 0.50C), consumable electrode vacuum melted. This aerospace material specification defines a premium aircraft-quality low-alloy steel supplied in sheet, strip, and plate forms for use where controlled chemistry and mechanical properties are required.

Abstract

This specification establishes requirements for chemical composition, condition of delivery, mechanical properties, and inspection/test criteria for a vacuum-melted, consumable-electrode low-alloy steel (nominal composition shown above) intended for aircraft and aerospace component applications. It replaces the previous AMS6438F revision and was stabilized in August 2016.

General information

• Status: Active / Stabilized (revision G, Aug 2016).
• Publication date: August 8, 2016 (AMS6438G).
• Publisher: SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers / SAE Mobilus).
• ICS / categories: Materials — Ferrous metals and alloys; Aerospace material specifications; Steel — sheet, strip, plate; Materials properties and testing.
• Edition / version: AMS6438G ( Revision G, 2016 ).
• Number of pages: 8 pages (typical published PDF length).

Scope

The standard covers a premium aircraft-quality, low-alloy steel in the form of sheet, strip, and plate produced by consumable-electrode vacuum melting. It specifies required chemical composition limits, permitted product forms and thickness ranges, mechanical property requirements after specified heat treatment(s), acceptance inspection and test methods, and marking/identification for procurement and quality assurance in aerospace manufacture.

Key topics and requirements

• Chemical composition limits for elements including Cr, Ni, Mo, V and carbon (nominal 1.05Cr - 0.55Ni - 1.0Mo - 0.12V; C ≈ 0.45–0.50%).
• Permitted product forms: sheet, strip, and plate produced by vacuum melt consumable electrode practice.
• Mechanical property and heat-treatment requirements appropriate for aircraft applications (tensile, yield, elongation; specified temper/condition at delivery).
• Acceptance testing: chemical analysis, mechanical tests, and any required nondestructive or dimensional inspections called out by the specification.
• Traceability, marking, and documentation requirements to ensure lot identification and conformance to AMS procurement clauses.

Typical use and users

Used by aerospace and defense manufacturers, materials engineers, procurement specialists, and quality/inspection teams specifying or receiving aircraft-quality low-alloy steel sheet, strip, and plate for structural and critical component manufacture. Typical applications include airframe components, landing gear components (where applicable by design), and other parts requiring controlled chemistry and mechanical performance.

Related standards

Related AMS material specifications in the AMS 64xx series covering other low‑alloy steels and forms (for example earlier/later AMS6438 revisions, AMS6358, AMS6415, and neighboring AMS documents governing bars, forgings, tubing, and alternative chemistries). Purchase/ordering, test-method, and welding standards referenced from SAE AMS documents may also be applicable.

Keywords

AMS6438G, SAE AMS 6438, low-alloy steel, vacuum melted, consumable electrode, sheet, strip, plate, aerospace material specification, chromium-nickel-molybdenum-vanadium steel.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE AMS6438G is an aerospace material specification that defines requirements for a vacuum‑melted, consumable‑electrode low‑alloy steel supplied as sheet, strip, and plate for aircraft-quality applications.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers chemical composition, required product forms and conditions, mechanical properties, acceptance testing and inspection, marking, and documentation needed to procure and verify the specified low‑alloy steel for aerospace use.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Aerospace OEMs and suppliers, materials and metallurgical engineers, procurement and quality/inspection personnel, and any organization specifying or supplying aircraft‑quality sheet, strip or plate of this alloy.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: AMS6438G is the G revision published/stabilized in August 2016 and replaced AMS6438F (2011). As of the revision date it was listed as the active/stabilized specification; users should confirm the current status before procurement to ensure no later revision has been issued.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the SAE AMS materials family (AMS 6438 series) with prior revisions (A–F) and is related to other AMS documents covering alternate chemistries and product forms. AMS material specs commonly reference related AMS test, heat‑treatment and procurement clauses.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Low‑alloy steel, vacuum melted, consumable electrode, sheet, strip, plate, AMS6438, SAE, aerospace material specification, Cr‑Ni‑Mo‑V alloy.